A Christmas Lesson

Christmas

Gives you the warm fuzzy feelings. Carols and cookies and movies and family and wishing “Merry Christmas” to strangers. How I want everything just “perfect.” Wondering if I bought the right presents and how they will react as they are opened. Hoping I have enough food . . . and the right kind of food. Feeling the guilt that I sent no Christmas cards. Going through the motions as I have done for so many years. What Christmas lesson can be learned from all of this?

Christmas is also a time to reflect. Pondering and smiling about the good. Feeling the emotions of the bad and realizing this is the first Christmas without my mom. How we are creating a new “normal.” And missing other family members. Wondering what Ainsley must be thinking about her brothers and sister! Also thinking about other non-family deaths and how they affected me. It is all so painful. What Christmas lesson can be learned from all of this?

To be better. To be more kind. To be more thoughtful. To be more forgiving.

And . . .

To focus on what really is important. Family. Friends. God. I have learned to lean more and more on what is really important (while sometimes needing a nudge). Remembering not the fluff. And it’s truly breathtaking to realize God’s presence. And to know that’s all I need. And to help me “see” what God intends for me.

And . . .

With that I am reminded once again what this season is all about. I believe God uses our life experiences as our personal life lesson designed specifically to each one of us. And that is my wish for all.

Remember why we are celebrating Christmas. Jesus is the reason and his “presence” is all we need.

Merry Christmas (belated), Wanda. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. We also had a loss in the family, and it feels wrong to even think about celebrating Christmas. You’re a very strong person to be able to use your experiences to be a better person––and not bitter.
Thank you for the beautiful post.

To Wanda and all our fellow farmers who have said goodbye for now to those loved ones who were good to us during there lives they are still looking after us everyday we work this land happy New year to you Wanda keep up the good work and happy New year to all my fellow farmers pat from ireland